Rainiers Fall To Fresno, 10-3

TACOMA, Wash. -- The Tacoma Rainiers struggled to combat a strong pitching performance from the Fresno Grizzlies in a 10-3 loss at Cheney Stadium on Sunday.

Grizzlies starter Eric Hacker (4-0) fronted a staff that combined to hold the Rainiers to just four hits. The right-hander surrendered two runs on three hits over 6.2 innings, and retired the first 12 Tacoma batters he faced before a fielding error allowed Luis Jimenez to reach first base in the fifth.

Fresno took an insurmountable 6-0 lead after collecting six runs in the second inning. Shortstop Skyler Stromsmoe drew a bases-loaded walk that put the Grizzlies up 1-0 before catcher Eli Whiteside hit a three-run double that stretched Tacoma's deficit to four runs. Third baseman Conor Gillaspie rounded out the inning with a two-run home run.

Tacoma catcher Brandon Bantz belted a solo home run in the sixth inning - his first Triple-A hit - to give the Rainiers their first run of the day. The designated hitter Jimenez notched the club's third and final run after going deep with a one-run homer in the bottom of the ninth.

Starter Mauricio Robles (0-2) walked a season-high six batters and gave up four hits on the way to surrendering seven runs over 3.1 innings of action in defeat.

The Rainiers (7-11) play the third game of the team's four-game series with Fresno (14-4) at 7:05 p.m. on Monday, April 23. Seattle native Forrest Snow (0-2, 6.43) is scheduled to get the nod for Tacoma against right-hander Andrew Kown (2-0, 2.20) for the Grizzlies.

Every Rainiers game can be heard live on South Sound Sports 850-AM and is available to be streamed online at www.tacomarainiers.com.

To purchase season tickets, group packages or party decks for the 2012 season, call (253) 752-7707 or email tickets@tacomarainiers.com. Up-to-date news and notes throughout the season can be found at www.tacomarainiers.com and by following the Rainiers on Twitter ( @RainiersLand) or liking the team on Facebook.